Pneumatic paintball gun with volume restrictor

ABSTRACT

A volume restrictor can be provided for a pneumatic paintball gun to reduce the volume of compressed gas available within a compressed gas storage area for a firing operation of the paintball gun. In one embodiment, the volume restrictor includes a body having a forward end and a rearward end. A forward sealing member can be arranged on the forward end to seal around a bolt of the paintball gun. A rearward sealing member can be arranged on the rearward end of the body to seal against a rearward endwall of the compressed gas storage area. By placing the volume restrictor within the compressed gas storage area of the paintball gun, the volume of compressed gas available for a firing operation is reduced, thereby requiring an increased operating pressure to achieve the same paintball velocity. The increased chamber pressure can result in a shorter recharge time and less velocity drop off in successive shots. A set of volume restrictors can be provided to permit a user to selectively adjust the available volume of compressed gas in the compressed gas storage chamber. Other configurations of volume restrictors are also contemplated within this invention, for example, such as non-sealing volume restricting rings having various wall thicknesses.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/869,829, filed Jun. 15, 2004, and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/056,938, filed Feb. 11, 2005, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to pneumatic paintball guns (“markers”)and their operating components. More particularly, this inventionrelates to a pneumatic paintball gun and the pneumatic components usedto load a paintball into and fire it from the paintball gun.

2. Related Art

In the sport of paintball, it is generally desirable to have a markerthat is as small and light as possible. Smaller and lighter markersincrease a players' mobility. Players benefit from increased mobility bybeing able to move more quickly from bunker to bunker, making it easierto avoid being hit. Further, in the sport of paintball, the marker istreated as an extension of the body such that a hit to the marker countsas a hit to the player. It is desirable, therefore, to have a paintballgun with as small a profile as possible while substantially maintainingor improving performance characteristics of the marker, such as firingrate, accuracy, and gas efficiency. The size of the paintball gun isgenerally related to the size and number of operating components thatmust be housed within the paintball gun body.

It is further desirable to have a paintball marker that includes fewer,less complex, and less expensive, operating components and that can bemore easily manufactured. The cost savings can then be passed on to theconsumer. The industry is in need of a small, light, and inexpensivepaintball marker that provides reliable and efficient operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a pneumatic paintball guncan include a body and a grip frame. The body and the grip frame can beformed separately or integrally, and are preferably formed from a moldedplastic, rubber, or other rugged but relatively inexpensive material.The body preferably includes a chamber configured to receive a pneumaticassembly. The pneumatic assembly preferably provides several of theoperating components of the paintball gun including a bolt, a compressedgas storage area, and a firing mechanism. A pneumatic assembly housingcan be formed of metal, plastic, or a combination of materials and, inaddition to housing the pneumatic components, can be configured toreceive a barrel and a feed tube. A pneumatic regulator can also beprovided and can, for example, be a vertical, in-line regulator or abottom-mount regulator.

The bolt preferably includes a forward and a rearward piston surfacearea. A quantity of compressed gas is preferably selectively suppliedand vented from a forward piston surface area through a mechanical orelectro-pneumatic valving mechanism. The firing mechanism preferablyconsists of a sealing member arranged in selective communication with anouter surface of the bolt. One or more firing ports are preferablyarranged in the bolt to communicate compressed gas through the bolt tolaunch a paintball. Compressed gas from the regulator can be supplied tothe compressed gas storage area through a supply port. The flow ofcompressed gas into the compressed gas storage area can be restricted orprevented during a firing operation to increase gas efficiency of thepaintball gun.

In operation, compressed gas is preferably supplied to the paintball gunfrom a compressed gas container through a pressure regulator. Thecompressed gas is preferably directed from the pressure regulator to thevalving mechanism and to a supply port for feeding the compressed gasstorage area. Compressed gas supplied to the valving mechanism ispreferably transferred through the valving mechanism to the forwardsurface area of the bolt piston when the valving mechanism is in aneutral (non-actuated) position. This compressed gas acts on the forwardbolt piston surface area to force the bolt into a rearward position.While the bolt is in a rearward position, a paintball is allowed to loadinto a breech of the paintball gun from the feed tube. In addition,while the bolt is rearward, the gas supply port is preferably allowed torapidly transmit compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area.

A trigger mechanism is preferably configured to operate the valvingmechanism. When the trigger is depressed, the valving mechanism ispreferably actuated to vent compressed gas away from the forward pistonsurface area of the bolt. Compressed gas is preferably applied to arearward surface area of the bolt piston. The rearward surface area ofthe bolt piston can be arranged, for example, in the compressed gasstorage area or at a rearward end of the bolt. The compressed gasapplied to the rearward surface area of the bolt piston can therefore besupplied from the compressed gas storage area or from a separate supplyport. When the compressed gas is vented from the forward bolt pistonsurface area, the pressure applied to the rearward bolt piston surfacearea preferably causes the bolt to move to a forward position.

When the bolt transitions to its forward position, a sealing member ofthe firing mechanism preferably disengages from the bolt surface area,permitting compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area to enterthe bolt firing ports and launch a paintball from the marker. Inaddition, with the bolt in the firing position, the flow of compressedgas into the compressed gas storage area can be restricted. This can beaccomplished, for instance, by configuring a rearward portion of thebolt to reduce the area through which compressed gas travels from thesupply port to the compressed gas storage area. Alternatively, thesupply of compressed gas to the compressed gas storage chamber can becut off completely to prevent compressed gas from entering the storagechamber during the firing operation. This can be accomplished, forinstance, by closing off the gas supply port using sealing members on arearward end of the bolt, using sealing members on a separate,independent piston, by pinching a gas supply tube, or using a separatevalving mechanism.

The valving mechanism can be a solenoid valve (such as a three-waysolenoid valve), a mechanical valve, or other valving mechanism. In thecase of a solenoid valve, an electronic circuit is preferably providedto control the operation of the solenoid valve based on actuation of atrigger mechanism. A switch, such as a microswitch or other switchingdevice, is preferably arranged in communication with the trigger to sendan actuation signal to the electronic circuit in response to a pull ofthe trigger. A power source is also preferably provided to supply powerto the electronic circuit and solenoid valve. The valving mechanismpreferably vents compressed gas away from a forward bolt piston surfacearea in response to a firing signal from the circuit board. In the caseof a mechanical valve, the mechanical valve preferably communicates withthe trigger to vent the compressed gas away from the forward bolt pistonsurface area in response to a trigger pull.

In one embodiment, the bolt is preferably a free-floating bolt withbalanced pressure applied to opposite ends of the bolt piston rod. Thiscan be accomplished, for instance, by providing a vent channel from arearward end of the bolt piston rod through to the forward end of thebolt. Alternatively, the chamber in communication with the rearward endof the bolt piston can be vented to atmosphere through a vent portarranged through the gun body.

According to another aspect of this invention, ribs or fins can beprovided lengthwise on the bolt piston with firing channels arrangedbetween the ribs to permit compressed gas to be released from the gunwhen the bolt is transitioned forward, while still maintaining theposition of the sealing member in a retaining groove.

According to a further aspect of this invention, an interchangeableshell can form the outer portion of the paintball gun body surroundingthe pneumatic components. The interchangeable shell can, for instance,be a plastic, metal, or composite material, but is preferably ABSplastic. A number of interchangeable shells can be provided of differentshapes, colors, and body styles to permit a user to customize their gunto a desired appearance.

According to a still further aspect of this invention, an improvedapparatus and method for grip mounting a circuit board can be provided.According to this method, one or more slots are preferably arranged inthe grip frame to receive the circuit board. Most preferably, one slotis arranged on each side of the grip frame to receive opposing sides ofthe circuit board. The depth of the slots is preferably selected toarrange the circuit board in the appropriate location when the circuitboard is fully inserted into the slots. In this embodiment, no tools ormounting screws are required to secure the circuit board in thepaintball gun, thereby reducing the cost of parts and the cost ofmanufacturing. Manufacturing consistency is also improved. In addition,a solenoid valve can be mounted on the circuit board and arranged in thegrip of the paintball gun. The circuit board can further include atrigger-actuated microswitch arranged on the circuit board, preferablyon an opposite side of the circuit board from the solenoid valve.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method ofmounting a paintball detection system is provided. According to thismethod, a mounting slot is preferably arranged in a bottom portion of apneumatic housing near a breech area of a paintball gun. Holes or slotsare preferably arranged through one or more sidewalls of the pneumatichousing at the breech area. A paintball detection system circuit boardis preferably mounted within the slot such that a sensor disposed on thecircuit board can communicate with an interior of the breech area orwith a sensor arranged on an opposite side of the pneumatic housing. Thecircuit board is preferably shaped to fit within the mounting slot. If abreak-beam sensor system is used, holes are preferably arranged inopposing sides of the pneumatic housing in proximity to the location ofthe break-beam sensors once installed in the pneumatic housing.

A volume restrictor or a set of volume restrictors can be provided toreduce the volume of compressed gas available within a compressed gasstorage area for a firing operation of the paintball gun. In oneembodiment, a volume restrictor can include a body having a forward endand a rearward end. A forward sealing member can be arranged on theforward end of the body to seal around a bolt of the paintball gun andcooperate with the bolt to provide the firing mechanism of the paintballgun. A rearward sealing member can be arranged on the rearward end ofthe body to seal against a rearward endwall of the compressed gasstorage area. In this manner, the internal volume of the volumerestrictor can provide a new, reduced volume compressed gas storagearea. A plurality of differently sized volume restrictors can beprovided to permit selection of the proper volume restrictor to achievethe desired volume. By placing a volume restrictor within the compressedgas storage area of the paintball gun, the volume of compressed gasavailable for a firing operation is reduced, thereby requiring increasedoperating pressure to achieve the same paintball velocity. The increasedchamber pressure can result in a shorter recharge time and less velocitydrop off in rapid successive shots.

Other configurations of volume restrictors are also contemplated withinthis invention, including, for example, volume occupiers that do notseal with the chamber housing, but instead simply occupy a volume of thecompressed gas storage area to reduce the volume available for thefiring operation. Volume restricting rings of different thicknesses canbe used, for example, to reduce the chamber volume by the desiredamount. A replacement pneumatic housing that provides a reduced volumecompressed gas storage area could also be used.

Various other aspects, embodiments, and configurations of this inventionare also possible without departing from the principles disclosedherein. This invention is therefore not limited to any of the particularaspects, embodiments, or configurations described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and additional objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become more readily apparent from the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments, made with reference tothe accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a paintballgun, shown with a bolt thereof in an rearward (e.g., open) position,according to certain principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of thepaintball gun of FIG. 1, shown with the bolt is disposed in a forward(e.g., closed) position;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective view of thepneumatic paintball gun illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a paintballgun constructed according to an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a paintballgun constructed according to yet another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are a somewhat schematic perspective, cross-sectionalside, and bottom plan view, respectively, illustrating a paintballdetection system arrangement in a breech section of a paintball gunaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a circuit board andsensor system for the paintball detection system configured forarrangement in the breech section of the paintball gun illustrated inFIGS. 6, 7, and 8;

FIG. 10 is a somewhat schematic perspective cross-sectional view of apneumatic assembly capable of use in the paintball gun of FIG. 1,according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a paintball gun bodyhaving an interchangeable external shell, according to yet anotheraspect of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a paintballgun body with an interchangeable external shell, as shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13A is a somewhat schematic top view of a paintball gun grip frameconfigured to receive a grip-mounted circuit board according to a stillfurther aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional view of the paintballgun grip frame of FIG. 13A, illustrating a slot configured to receive agrip-mounted circuit board according;

FIG. 13C is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional view of the paintballgun grip frame of FIG. 13A, illustrating a grip-mounted circuit boardarranged in the slot of FIG. 13B;

FIG. 14 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective view of apaintball gun having a grip-mounted circuit board with a solenoid valvearranged thereon;

FIG. 15 is a somewhat schematic side view of a circuit board for apaintball gun having a solenoid valve and trigger-actuated microswitcharranged thereon in accordance with yet another aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective view of apaintball gun having the paintball detection system of FIGS. 6-9,illustrating a method of mounting the paintball detection systemaccording to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a somewhat schematic cross sectional side view of a volumerestrictor for use in a compressed gas storage area of a paintball gunaccording to yet another embodiment of principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a paintballgun pneumatic assembly having the volume restrictor of FIG. 17 arrangedin a compressed gas storage area thereof according to yet another aspectof the present invention;

FIGS. 19A-C are somewhat schematic cross-sectional side viewsillustrating a plurality of volume restrictors having different sizesaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19D is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective view of thevolume restrictor depicted in FIG. 19C; and

FIGS. 20A-C are somewhat schematic cross-sectional side views showingthe volume restrictors of FIGS. 19A-C arranged in a pneumatic chamber ofa paintball gun according to yet another aspect of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The accompanying drawings show the construction of various preferredembodiments incorporating principles of the present invention. Referringto FIG. 1, a pneumatic paintball gun 100 can be constructed having abody 110 and a grip 120. A foregrip 130 can also be provided.

The body 110 and the grip 120 can be formed integrally or separately andcan be formed of the same or different materials. The body 110 and thegrip 120 are preferably formed of a molded plastic or rubber material,such as ABS plastic, that is durable and shock resistant yet relativelyinexpensive.

A pneumatic housing 115 is preferably arranged in the body 110 to housesome or all of the pneumatic components, to receive a barrel (notshown), and to receive a feed tube 140. The pneumatic housing 115 ispreferably a block or tube formed from a metal such as aluminum, but canbe formed of any other metal, plastic, or other material that issufficiently durable to perform its required functions. The grip 120 andforegrip 130 are preferably secured to the body 110 and the pneumatichousing 115 using screws or other fastening means. A plate 125 is alsopreferably provided and formed of a rigid material, such as metal, canalso be arranged in the grip 120 to permit secure attachment of a tankreceptacle (not shown) for connecting to a compressed gas tank.

The foregrip 130 preferably provides a regulator 132 for regulating asupply of compressed gas down to a desired operating pressure. In thisembodiment, the desired operating pressure is between about 90 to 350psi. A battery 122 can be arranged in the grip 120 along with a circuitboard 150 and a solenoid valve 250. The solenoid valve 250 of thisembodiment is preferably a normally-open, three-way solenoid valve.

A pneumatic assembly 200 is preferably arranged in the body 110 and canbe connected to and/or include some or all of the pneumatic housing 115.The pneumatic assembly 200 preferably includes a compressed gas storagearea 212, a pneumatic cylinder 220, and a guide chamber 214. A bolt 222is preferably slidably arranged having a first piston surface area 226 alocated within a pneumatic cylinder 220 in a piston and cylinderassembly. The bolt 222 may further include a guide rod 221 that extendsthrough substantially the entire pneumatic assembly 200.

The guide rod 221 can include a firing valve section 221 a thatcommunicates with a sealing member 232 to prevent compressed gas fromentering the bolt 222 from the compressed gas storage area 212 when thebolt 222 is rearward. The guide rod 221 further preferably includes arearward section 221b that slides back and forth within a guide chamber214 to provide stability for the bolt and also to restrict or preventthe flow of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area 212 froma supply port 216 when the bolt 222 is forward. A vent channel 228 maybe provided through the bolt 222 and guide rod 221 to prevent backpressure from building up on a rearward end 222 b of the bolt 222 andprovide an essentially free-floating bolt arrangement. This reduces theamount of pressure required to recock the bolt 222. The vent channelalso reduces the amount of force applied by a forward end 222 a of thebolt 222 on a paintball, improves gas efficiency, and eliminates theneed for a secondary pressure regulator. Alternatively, a vent channel(not shown) may be provided through the body 110 of the gun 100 to ventthe rearward chamber area 214 to atmosphere.

With the bolt 222 in an open position, compressed gas from the regulator132 is supplied to the compressed gas storage area 212 through thesupply port 216. The sealing member 232 preferably communicates betweenan external surface of the bolt 222 along the firing valve section 221 aand an inner wall of the pneumatic assembly 200 to prevent compressedgas from entering the bolt 222. The sealing member 232 can, for example,be arranged in a recess of the inner wall (or protrusion from the innerwall) of the pneumatic assembly 200 near a forward end of the compressedgas storage chamber 212.

Alternatively, for example, a bolt port can be arranged through the bolt222, with an input disposed near a rearward end of the bolt 222, tocommunicate compressed gas from a rearward end of the compressed gasstorage area 212 through the bolt 222 and into communication with apaintball when the bolt transitions to its forward position. In thisembodiment, the sealing member 232 could be arranged on the bolt 222near a rearward end of the compressed gas storage area 212 so as toprevent compressed gas from entering the bolt 222 from the compressedgas storage area 212 when the bolt 222 is open, but to permit compressedgas from the compressed gas storage area 212 to enter the bolt 222 whenthe bolt is closed.

The solenoid valve 250 preferably selectively supplies compressed gas toand vents compressed gas from the cylinder 220 through the port 218 tomove the bolt 222. The solenoid valve 250 preferably comprises anormally-open configuration where compressed gas input into the solenoidvalve 250 through an input port 254 is supplied via an output port 256to the forward piston surface area 226 a of the bolt 222 to hold thebolt 222 in an open position.

In response to a trigger pull, a firing signal is preferably sent fromthe circuit board 150 to the solenoid valve 250 to initiate a firingoperation of the paintball gun 100. In response to the firing signal,the solenoid valve 250 preferably vents compressed gas away from theforward piston area 226 a of the bolt 222. Pressure on an opposingsurface area 226 b of the bolt 222 thereby causes the bolt 222 totransition to a closed position, as shown in FIG. 9. The opposingsurface area 226 b can, for instance, be arranged in the compressed gasstorage area 212 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Alternatively, the opposing surface area 226 b can be arranged on arearward end 222 b of the bolt 222, with compressed gas supplied to therearward end 222 b of the bolt 222 through a separate supply channel(not shown). In this alternative embodiment, the vent channel 228 wouldbe omitted to maintain pressure in chamber 214 to function as an airspring. The opposing surface area 226 b could likewise be positionedanywhere else where it can receive a quantity of compressed gas to forcethe bolt 222 into a closed position when gas is vented away from theforward surface area 226 a. The opposing surface area 226 b preferablyhas a surface area less than that of the forward surface area 226 a toprevent the bolt from moving forward until the compressed gas is ventedaway from the forward surface area 226 a. Alternatively, a mechanicalspring or other biasing member that provides a desired amount of force(preferably less than the amount of force created by the compressed gason the forward surface area of the bolt 226 a) could be used to forcethe bolt 222 into a closed position when compressed gas is vented awayfrom the forward surface area 226 a of the bolt 222.

Referring now to FIG. 2, with the bolt 222 in the closed position,compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area 212 is permitted toflow into the bolt 222 through channels 223 arranged along an externalsurface of the bolt 222 and ports 224 arranged to communicate compressedgas from a predetermined location along the exterior of the bolt 222 toa forward end of the bolt 222 a. While the bolt 222 is in its forwardposition, entry of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area212 from the supply port 216 can be restricted using a glide ring 225 aarranged on the rearward section of the guide rod 221 b near a rearwardend 222 b of the bolt 222. A sealing member 225 b prevents compressedgas from entering the rearward portion of the guide chamber 214 and thevent channel 228. To prevent (rather than restrict) compressed gas fromentering into the chamber during the firing operation, the glide ring225 a could be replaced by a sealing member (not shown).

Loading and firing operations of the pneumatic paintball gun 100 willnow be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 1-3.Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, compressed gas supplied from theregulator 132 to the paintball gun 100 is directed to a manifold 252arranged in communication with the solenoid valve 250. Compressed gasfrom the regulator 132 is directed through the manifold to an inlet 254of the solenoid valve 250. In its normally-open position, the solenoidvalve 250 directs compressed gas from the input port 254 to an outputport 256 of the manifold 252 to the cylinder 220 and hence the forwardbolt piston surface area 226 a.

Meanwhile, compressed gas from the regulator 132 is also suppliedthrough a second output port 258 of the manifold 252 to a supply port216, preferably arranged near a rearward end of the compressed gasstorage area 212 in a bolt guide cylinder 235. While the bolt 222 isopen, compressed gas from the supply port 216 is preferably permitted torapidly fill the compressed gas storage area 212. A rearward pistonsurface area 226 b of the bolt 222 is preferably arranged in or incommunication with the compressed gas storage area 212. The forward boltpiston surface area 226 a is preferably larger than the rearward surfacearea 226 b. Thus, in its resting position (e.g., in the absence of afiring signal), the compressed gas supplied to the forward bolt pistonsurface area 226 a holds the bolt 222 in an open position againstpressure applied to a rearward bolt piston surface area 226 b. With thebolt 222 in its open (e.g., rearward position), a paintball is permittedto drop from a feed tube 140 into a breech area 145 of the paintball gun100.

A firing operation of the paintball gun 100 is preferably initiated inresponse to actuation of a trigger 102. The trigger 102 is preferablyconfigured to initiate a firing operation of the paintball gun 100through actuation of a microswitch 152 or other switching mechanism whenpulled. Actuation of the switching mechanism 152 preferably causes thecircuit board 150 to initiate a firing operation by transmitting one ormore firing signals to the solenoid valve 250. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the firing signal is preferably anactuation signal that energizes the solenoid of the solenoid valve 250for a predetermined duration of time. The trigger 102 could beconfigured, however to actuate a firing sequence as long as the trigger102 is pulled, particularly if a mechanical rather than electronicactuation system is utilized.

In response to the firing signal, the solenoid valve 250 preferablyvents compressed gas from the forward bolt piston area 226 a. Pressureapplied from the compressed gas storage area 212 to the rearward boltpiston area 226 b thereby causes the bolt 222 to move to its forwardposition. As the bolt 222 transitions to its forward position, it forcesa paintball that has been loaded in the breech area 145 forward into therearward end of a barrel (not shown).

In addition, as the bolt 222 approaches its forward position, thechannels 223 arranged along the external surface of the bolt 222 slidepast the sealing member 232 and allow the compressed gas from thecompressed gas storage area 212 to enter into the rearward portion ofthe cylinder 220. Compressed gas in the rear of the cylinder 220 flowsthrough bolt ports 224 into contact with the paintball in the barrel tocause it to be launched from the gun 100. Also, as the bolt 222approaches its forward position, a glide ring or sealing member 225 aslides past the gas supply port 216 to respectively restrict or preventthe flow of compressed gas from the regulator 132 into the compressedgas storage area 212. This can improve the gas efficiency of thepaintball gun 100.

Although the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrates the use of anelectro-pneumatic valve 250 to control the loading and firing operationsof the paintball gun 100, a mechanical valve could be used in place ofthe solenoid valve 250. Like the solenoid valve 250, the mechanicalvalve could be configured to supply compressed gas to the forward pistonsurface area 226 b through port 218 in a resting position. In responseto a pull of the trigger 102, the mechanical valve could be configuredto vent the compressed gas away from the forward piston surface area 226b to cause the bolt 222 to move forward and perform a firing operation.The trigger 102 could, for example, be directly mechanically coupled tothe valve or could communicate with the mechanical valve through one ormore intermediate components.

Yet other alternative embodiments of the present invention are shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The paintball gun 100A shown in FIG. 4 is constructed ina manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, except, forinstance, the absence of a foregrip 130, compressed gas being suppliedto the gun through a tube arranged through the grip 120, and that thesolenoid valve 250 is arranged in a different physical relationship withrespect to the gun body 110. The primary operating features of thisembodiment are essentially the same as that previously described,however, and no additional description of this embodiment will thereforebe provided.

The paintball gun 100B depicted in FIG. 5 is also similar to thatdepicted in FIGS. 1-3, except that the rearward end 221 b of the guiderod 221 does not contain a glide ring or a sealing ring where the glidering 225 a is arranged in the earlier-described embodiment. As with theglide ring, compressed gas is permitted to enter the compressed gasstorage chamber 212 even when the bolt is in its forward position. Thetolerance between the guide rod 221 and the guide chamber 214 can beconfigured, however, such that the rate of flow of compressed gas intothe compressed gas storage chamber 212 can be restricted while the bolt222 is arranged in its forward position. This can result in improved gasefficiency and make the bolt 222 easier to move to its retractedposition.

Various other alternative embodiments are also contemplated. Inparticular, rather than use a portion of the bolt 222 to restrict orprevent compressed gas from entering the compressed gas storage area212, other mechanisms could be used to provide this function. Forexample, a separate piston could be arranged to slide back and forth inthe rearward bolt guide area to block or restrict the supply ofcompressed gas from the supply port 214 into the compressed gas storagearea 212. In yet another potential embodiment, a mechanical, pneumatic,or electro-pneumatic pinching member could be provided to pinch a gassupply tube (e.g., tube 217) to prevent or restrict the flow ofcompressed gas into the compressed gas storage area 212 while the bolt222 is in the forward position.

Further aspects of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7,and 8. Referring to FIGS. 6-9, a paintball detection system 600 can bearranged in communication with a breech area 145 of the paintball gun100 (see FIG. 1). Most preferably, the paintball detection system 600contains a break-beam sensor arrangement on a circuit board 610. Abreech portion 142 of the pneumatic housing 115 of the paintball gun 100is preferably provided with a recess or a cutout area 144 to receive thecircuit board and opposing cutout regions 144 a, 144 b located onopposite sides of the breech area 145 that are configured to receive thebreak-beam sensors 612.

A preferred circuit board 610 and sensor 612 arrangement for thepaintball detection system 600 of FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 is shown in FIG. 9.Referring to FIG. 9, the circuit board 610 preferably comprises thecircuitry for controlling the break-beam or other sensors 612 and anelectronic communications port 614 for communicating with a circuitboard 150 of the paintball gun 100 (see FIG. 1) through wiring orwirelessly. The sensors 612 can be mounted directly to the circuit board610, as illustrated, or can be connected remotely via wires orwirelessly. In a preferred embodiment, the circuit board 610 isconfigured having a “C” shape with sensors 612 arranged on opposite armsof the circuit board 610. The circuit board 610 is preferably configuredto fit within a recess or cutout 144 in the pneumatic housing and locatethe sensors 612 within sensor cutout regions 144 a, 144 b in thepneumatic housing 115 on opposite sides of the breech area 145. In thepreferred break-beam sensor embodiment, the sensors 612 are preferablyconfigured such that one transmits a beam (or other optical or radiosignal) to the other sensor 612 until that signal is interrupted by thepresence of a paintball 101 in the breech area 145.

Operation of the paintball detection system 600 according to theforegoing embodiment will now be described in further detail withreference to FIGS. 1 and 6-9. Referring to FIGS. 6-9, with the bolt 222arranged in a rearward position, a paintball 101 is preferably permittedto drop from the feed tube 140 into the breech area 145 of the paintballgun 100 through the feed tube opening 116. As the paintball 101 entersthe breech area 145, it breaks a beam transmitted from one of thesensors 612 to the opposing sensor 612. A signal is then preferablygenerated by the detection system circuit board 610 to indicate that apaintball 101 has been loaded into the paintball gun 100. Alternatively,the detection system circuit board 610 could be configured to send asignal corresponding to the absence of a paintball 101 from the breecharea 145.

The detection system circuit board 610 therefore preferably communicatesa signal to the paintball gun circuit board 150 to indicate either thepresence or the absence of a paintball 101 in the breech area 145 of thepaintball gun 100. In response to this signal, the paintball gun circuitboard 150 can preferably be configured to either execute or refrain fromexecuting a firing operation in response to a trigger pull. Morespecifically, if the detection system circuit board 610 indicates theabsence of a paintball 101 from the breech area 145 of the paintball gun100, the paintball gun circuit board 150 is preferably configured torefrain from executing a firing operation in response to a trigger pull.If a paintball 101 is detected in the breech area 145 of the paintballgun 100, however, the paintball gun circuit board 150 is preferablyconfigured to execute the firing operation in response to a triggerpull.

FIG. 10 is a somewhat schematic perspective cross-sectional view of apneumatic assembly 1000 illustrating another aspect of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 10, a plurality of ribs (or fins) 1223 acan be formed along a firing valve area 1221 a of the bolt rod 1221 toretain an O-ring 1232 (or other sealing member) in position during afiring operation of the paintball gun (or other pneumatic launchingdevice). As shown, an O-ring 1232 is preferably retained in an O-ringretaining groove 1202 in an O-ring retaining member 1204 to provide asealing member for selectively preventing and permitting compressed gasto enter the bolt 1222 from a compressed gas storage area 1212. In thisembodiment, when the bolt 1222 is in a rearward position, the O-ring1232 seals around an outer surface of the firing valve area 1221 a ofthe bolt rod 1221 to prevent compressed gas from escaping into the bolt1222. When the bolt 1222 transitions to a forward position during afiring operation, however, firing grooves 1223 arranged between the ribs1223 a preferably permit compressed gas to escape from the compressedgas storage area 1212 into the bolt 1222 to be released from thepaintball gun and launch a paintball. At the same time, however, theribs 1223 a prevent the O-ring 1232 from being unseated from itsretaining groove 1202 and collapsing into the firing grooves 1223.

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate another aspect of the present invention.Referring to FIGS. 11-12, according to a further aspect of thisinvention, an interchangeable shell can form the outer portion of thepaintball gun body surrounding the pneumatic components. Theinterchangeable shell can, for instance, be a plastic, metal, orcomposite material, but is preferably ABS plastic. A number ofinterchangeable shells can be provided of different shapes, colors, andbody styles to permit a user to customize their gun to a desiredappearance. The shell can be mounted to the grip frame, for instance,through one or more screws or other mounting device. The pneumaticcomponents can be configured to slide into the external shell through aforward opening thereof.

FIGS. 13A-15 illustrate yet another aspect of the present invention.Referring to FIGS. 13A-15, according to a still further aspect of thisinvention, an improved apparatus and method for grip mounting a circuitboard can be provided. According to this method, one or more slots arepreferably arranged in the grip frame to receive the circuit board. Mostpreferably, one slot is arranged on each side of an opening on theinside of the grip frame to receive opposing sides of the circuit board.The depth of the slots is preferably selected to arrange the circuitboard in the appropriate location when the circuit board is fullyinserted into the slots. The circuit board and slot may further have amating step-like configuration. In this embodiment, no tools or mountingscrews are required to secure the circuit board in the paintball gun,thereby reducing the cost of parts and the cost of manufacturing.Manufacturing consistency is also improved.

A solenoid valve is preferably mounted on the circuit board and arrangedin the grip of the paintball gun. A slot in the grip is preferably sizedto securely receive both the circuit board and the solenoid valve. Thecircuit board can further include a trigger-actuated microswitcharranged on the circuit board, preferably on an opposite side of thecircuit board from the solenoid valve.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a paintball gunillustrating a method of mounting a paintball detection system accordingto another aspect of the present invention. A method of mounting apaintball detection system is provided. According to this method, amounting slot is preferably arranged in a bottom portion of a pneumatichousing near a breech area of a paintball gun. Holes or slots arepreferably arranged through one or more sidewalls of the pneumatichousing at the breech area. A paintball detection system circuit boardis preferably mounted within the slot such that a sensor disposed on thecircuit board can communicate with an interior of the breech area orwith a sensor arranged on an opposite side of the pneumatic housing. Thecircuit board is preferably shaped to fit within the mounting slot. If abreak-beam sensor system is used, holes are preferably arranged inopposing sides of the pneumatic housing in proximity to the location ofthe break-beam sensors once installed in the pneumatic housing.

FIG. 17 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a volumerestrictor 1700 for reducing the effective volume of a compressed gasstorage area of a paintball gun according to one configuration thereof.FIG. 18 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the volumerestrictor 1700 arranged in a compressed gas storage area 212 of apneumatic assembly 200 of a paintball gun 100 (see FIG. 1) according toyet another aspect of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, a volume restrictor 1700 preferablyincludes a body 1710. In a preferred configuration, the body 1710 can,for instance, be substantially cylindrical and be sized to fit withinand extend through the compressed gas storage chamber 212. The volumerestrictor 1700 can also include a sealing member 1724 and supportingstructure to replace the sealing member 232 that cooperates with thebolt 221 to provide the firing mechanism of the pneumatic assembly 200.An external sealing ring 1720 can also be supplied to mate with aninternal sidewall of the pneumatic assembly 200 in a sealingrelationship. The volume restrictor 1700 can further include anothersealing member 1722 arranged on an opposite end thereof to contact arearward endwall 212 a of the compressed gas storage chamber 212 in asealing relationship. The internal surface 1710 a of the volumerestrictor body 1710 can be made in a flat, concave, convex, or anyother desired configuration to provide the appropriate volume. In thismanner, an internal volume 1712 of the volume restrictor body 1710 canprovide a desired firing volume for the paintball gun 100.

More particularly, when the volume restrictor 1700 is arranged withinthe compressed gas storage area 212, the volume restrictor 1700 acts toreduce the volume of compressed gas that is available for a firingoperation of the paintball gun 100. By restricting the volume ofcompressed gas available for the firing operation, the pressure of thatgas must be increased to achieve the same paintball velocity. The higherpressure reduces the recharge time (e.g., the time for the compressedgas storage chamber 212 to refill between shots) and therefore allowshigher rates of fire with less drop off (e.g., reduction in shotvelocity during firing).

Using the volume restrictor 1700, the chamber pressure can, for example,be increased from between about 150-180 psi preferably up to betweenabout 250-280 psi, with a shot velocity of around 240-300 feet persecond. The volume of the compressed gas storage area provided using thevolume restrictors of the preferred embodiments can, for example, bebetween about 0.500 and 1.000 cubic inches, and most preferably withinthe range of 0.627 and 0.901 cubic inches. Other volumes are also withinthe contemplation of this invention, however. In one specific example,the volume for achieving a velocity of approximately 295 feet per secondwith an input pressure of 260 psi is preferably about 0.796 cubicinches. Variously sized volume restrictors can be used to permit a userto configure the compressed gas storage area with any desired volume forvarious desired operating pressures and/or firing velocities.

In addition to the embodiment exemplified by FIGS. 17-18, any otherstructure that functions to reduce the volume of compressed gasavailable within the compressed gas storage area 212 for a firingoperation could also be utilized and is within the contemplation of thisinvention. For instance, a volume restrictor could comprise anon-sealing insert piece, such as a ring or other shape that simplyoccupies a portion of the volume of the compressed gas storage area toreduce the available volume of compressed gas. Alternatively, or inaddition, the rearward pneumatic housing 236 of the pneumatic assembly200, which supplies the compressed gas storage area 212, could bereplaced with a new pneumatic housing having a smaller compressed gasstorage area 212. In any such manner, the volume of compressed gasavailable for a firing operation can be reduced and the operatingpressure of the paintball gun can thereby be increased, resulting in theabove-identified advantages.

FIGS. 19A-C are somewhat schematic cross-sectional side viewsillustrating a plurality of volume restrictors 1900 a, 1900 b, 1900 chaving different sizes according to yet another embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 19D is a somewhat schematic cross-sectionalperspective view of the volume restrictor 1900 c depicted in FIG. 19C.FIGS. 20A-C are somewhat schematic cross-sectional side views showingthe volume restrictors 1900 a, 1900 b, 1900 c of FIGS. 19A-C arranged ina pneumatic housing 236 of a paintball gun according to yet anotheraspect of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 19A through 20C, according to yet another aspect ofthe present invention, variously sized volume restrictors 1900 a, 1900b, 1900 c can be provided to enable more precise selection of theappropriate chamber volume for achieving the proper paintball velocityat the desired chamber pressure. In addition, in this embodiment, thepneumatic housing 236 providing the compressed gas storage chamber 212is preferably configured with substantially flat internal chamber walls236 a to provide a better fit with the volume restrictors 1900 a, 1900b, 1900 c and to provide better control over the chamber volume.

In this embodiment, the variously sized volume restrictors 1900 a, 1900b, 1900 c are each preferably cylinders or rings provided with adifferent wall thickness “t1”, “t2”, “t3” from the other volumerestrictors 1900 a, 1900 b, 1900 c to provide multiple different chambervolumes 1912 a, 1912 b, 1912 c when arranged in the pneumatic chamber236. A user can thereby select the appropriate volume restrictor 1900 a,1900 b, 1900 c for obtaining the desired chamber volume 1912 a, 1912 b,1912 c to achieve the proper paintball velocity at the desired operatingpressure.

Having described and illustrated various principles of the presentinvention through descriptions of exemplary preferred embodimentsthereof, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art thatthese embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail withoutdeparting from the inventive principles made apparent herein. The claimsshould therefore be interpreted to cover all such variations andmodifications.

1. A volume restrictor for reducing the volume of compressed gas used ina firing operation of a pneumatic paintball gun, said volume restrictorcomprising: a body configured to fit within a compressed gas storagechamber of a paintball gun; and wherein said body is configured toreduce a volume of compressed gas available within the compressed gasstorage chamber for use in a firing operation of the paintball gun.
 2. Avolume restrictor according to claim 1, wherein the body is furtherconfigured to surround a bolt piston, where the bolt piston comprisesone or more channels to communicate compressed gas from the compressedgas storage chamber to a forward end of the bolt for launching apaintball during a firing operation of the paintball gun.
 3. A volumerestrictor according to claim 2, further comprising a sealing memberarranged to provide a selective sealing relationship with the boltpiston, wherein the sealing relationship prevents compressed gas in thecompressed gas storage chamber from entering the bolt through the boltchannels when the bolt is in a first position and permits compressed gasto be released through the bolt channels when the bolt is in a secondposition.
 4. A volume restrictor according to claim 3, wherein thesealing member is retained in a groove of the volume restrictor body. 5.A volume restrictor according to claim 4, wherein the groove is arrangedin a forward end of the volume restrictor body.
 6. A volume restrictoraccording to claim 1, wherein the body comprises an internal volumedefined by an internal surface of the body and by a forward sealingmember and a rearward sealing member arranged on the body, said forwardand rearward sealing members configured to provide a sealingrelationship with components of the paintball gun, and wherein theinternal volume provides the volume of compressed gas for use in thefiring operation of the paintball gun.
 7. A volume restrictor accordingto claim 1, wherein the body is configured to occupy a portion of aninternal volume of the compressed gas storage chamber to reduce thevolume of gas used during a firing operation of the paintball gun.
 8. Avolume restrictor according to claim 7, wherein the body comprises asubstantially cylindrical shape.
 9. A volume restrictor according toclaim 1, wherein the volume of compressed gas in the compressed gasstorage chamber with the volume restrictor arranged therein isapproximately between 0.620 to 0.910 cubic inches.
 10. A volumerestrictor according to claim 1, wherein during operation of a paintballgun comprising the volume restrictor, the pressure of compressed gas inthe compressed gas storage area is between about 250 to 300 psi.
 11. Avolume restrictor for reducing a firing volume of compressed gas usedfor a firing operation of a paintball gun, the volume restrictorcomprising: a substantially cylindrical body having a forward end and arearward end, wherein said body is configured to fit within a compressedgas storage area of a paintball gun; and wherein an internal volume ofthe body provides a firing volume of compressed gas used during a firingoperation of the paintball gun.
 12. A volume restrictor according toclaim 11, further comprising a forward sealing member arranged on theforward end of the body and configured to provide a selective sealingrelationship with a bolt of the paintball gun.
 13. A volume restrictoraccording to claim 12, wherein the forward sealing member cooperateswith the bolt to provide a firing mechanism of the paintball gun.
 14. Avolume restrictor according to claim 11, further comprising a rearwardsealing member arranged on the rearward end of the body and configuredto provide a sealing relationship with a rearward internal surface ofthe compressed gas storage area.
 15. A volume restrictor according toclaim 11, wherein the body comprises an internal surface, and whereinthe internal surface of the body is concave.
 16. A set of volumerestrictors for reducing a volume of compressed gas used in a firingoperation of a paintball gun, said set of volume restrictor comprising:a first volume restrictor having a body, Wherein said body fits within acompressed gas storage area of a paintball gun and reduces the volume ofcompressed gas within the compressed gas storage area that is availablefor a firing operation of the paintball gun by a first amount; and asecond volume restrictor having a body, wherein said body fits within acompressed gas storage area of a paintball gun and reduces the volume ofcompressed gas within the compressed gas storage area that is availablefor a firing operation of the paintball gun by a second amount that isdifferent than the first amount.
 17. A set of volume restrictorsaccording to claim 16, wherein the body of each of the first and secondvolume restrictors comprises a volume restricting ring, wherein the ringof the first volume restrictor comprises a wall having a firstthickness, wherein the ring of the second volume restrictor comprises awall having a second thickness, and wherein the first thickness isdifferent than the second thickness.
 18. A set of volume restrictorsaccording to claim 16, further comprising a third volume restrictor. 19.A set of volume restrictors according to claim 16, wherein each saidbody further comprises one or more sealing members configured to sealoff a portion of the compressed gas storage area such that only aportion of a previously available volume of the compressed gas storagearea is available for the firing operation of the paintball gun.
 20. Aset of volume restrictors according to claim 19, wherein each said bodyfurther comprises a forward seal configured to seal around a bolt of thepaintball gun and a rearward seal configured to seal against a rearwardendwall of the compressed gas storage area.
 21. A volume restrictor forreducing a volume of compressed gas used in a firing operation of apaintball gun, said volume restrictor comprising: a means for reducingthe volume of compressed gas available within a compressed gas storagearea for a firing operation of a paintball gun.
 22. A volume restrictoraccording to claim 21, wherein said means comprises a volume restrictingdevice configured to be arranged within the compressed gas storage area,and wherein the device comprises a body having a thickness configured toreduce the volume of compressed gas that can be housed within thecompressed gas storage area when the device is arranged therein.
 23. Avolume restrictor according to claim 22, wherein the device comprises asubstantially cylindrical body.
 24. A volume restrictor according toclaim 21, wherein said means comprises a body configured to seal off aportion of the compressed gas storage area such that only a portion of apreviously available volume of the compressed gas storage area isavailable for the firing operation of the paintball gun.
 25. A volumerestrictor according to claim 21, wherein said means comprises areplacement rearward section of a pneumatic assembly, wherein saidreplacement rearward section of the pneumatic assembly comprises areduced volume compressed gas storage area.